Elevator operating and control apparatus



Sept. 17, 1929. c. NORTON ,7

' ELEVATOR OPERATING AND CONTROL APPARATUS Filed March 18. 1927 Q IINVENTOR jg T (hf/0m Nor/0n I ATTORNEYS PM 5 s Sheets Sheet 1 .Sept. 17,1929. c. NORTON ELEVATOR OPERATING AND CONTROL APPARATUS Filed March 18.1927 3 Sheets- -Sheet 2 R mu 0 wN fm m JWM m u Sept. 17, 1929. c. NORTONI ELEVATOR OPERATI NG AND CONTROL APPARATUS Filed March 18, 1927 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Ham 4/? Sup 04v 41NVENTOR gll'f'ford Norm 7 W5 14ATTORNEK? Patented Sept. 17, i929 ATENT OFFICE CLIFFORD NQRTON, F SQUTHGRANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T0 GRAHAM 6a NORTON GOMPANY, OF NEW YGEK,N. Y., A GORPORATION OF DELAWARE I ELEVATGR OPERATING AND CONTROLAPIPARATUS Application tiled March 18, 192-7. Serial No. 1%,553.

This invention relates to means for operating elevator doors from theelevator car and for controlling the movement of the car comhined andacting in the manner more part1cularly hereinafter described to preventthe operation of the door by the attendant on the car until after a lockengaging and locking the door operating mechanism is released and acontrol switch or interlock switch is also operated to prevent theelectric or other power from acting to move the elevator.

The invention relates more particularly to an apparatus wherein the dooroperating mechanism is actuated by pneumatic or other power controlledin its application or action to said door mechanism from the car by asuitable agency thereon and wherein there is also employed a lock forlocking said door operating mechanism and a safety interlocking orcontrolling switch controlling the operation of the elevator motor toprevent the elevator from heing moved away from its position at thelanding until the catch or look has been restored to its position forlocking the door operating mechanism in the closed position of the door.

In my improved apparatus the door actuating mechanism. a latch or looktherefor-and the controlling or interlock switch may all he operated orhrought into action by the operation of a single actuating orcontrolling devicehut the lock will not'be removed to tree the door andthe application of the power to the door actuating mechanism to open thedoor will not talre place until after the'interloclr switch comes intoehective action.

Further advantages resulting from the combination oi apparatus hereindescrihed and shown will he obvious to those slzilled in the art.

The invention further consists in the spe cial comhination of theapparatus herein after more particularly descrihed and then specified inthe claims. @no of the forms of the apparatus capable of carrying out orehecting the objects above, stated and employing my invention isillustrated in the eccompanylng drawings in which:

Fig. l is a front elevation of one form of apparatus embodying myinvention.

ig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of a part oi? the same.

Fig. 3 is an edge view of the same.

Figs. 4%, 5 and 6 show the arrangement of the valve ports of the controlvalve ems ployed in controlling the application of pneumatic power tothe door operating mechanism.

lteferring'to the drawings, 1 indicates an elevator well door and 2, 2'toggle arms forming a part of the door operating mechanism said togglesbeing ivoted together at 3 and pivotally mounte respectively on the doorIt and upon an arm or hracket or" a stanchion or frame at the landingand being adapted and erranged if desired to hold the door againstmovement when they are in the usual normal position shown. It will heunderstood that as many of the devices to be hereinafter described uponthe landing are employed as there are elevator door openings or tloorsin the shaft through which the elevator moves. Connected to the toggle 2is alinlr or rod 4 capable of lifting the same to hrealr the togglejoint and operate the door to open the same.

4: is a handle for the actuating mechanism adapted to be used iormanually operating the same when desired in place of the power agentlike air under pressure or electricity. Rod d is pivotally connected tothe toggle 2 by attachment at one of its ends to a bracket thereof andat its otherend to a reciprocating cross-head or other verticallymovalole member 5 that is tied or mechanicelly connected to a rod 6 towhich motion is imparted by the application of any suitable motive powerfor the movement of the parts to cause the opening of the door andpreferably by n sprin for movement in the otoer direction when t emotive power is out o In the present instance I have shown the inventionas carried out by the employment of a spring "7 for returning the toggleto its locking position'and moving the door hack to closed position. Ihave also shown the invention as carried out. by the appliingapplication filed July 7, 1923,

i the arrow 22 from position shownin cation of pneumatic pressure to apiston 8 connected to rod 6 for opening the door by lifting the toggle2' but'it is to be understood that other motive power agents may beemployed and controlled in their application to the door operatingmechanism by a valve or similar controlling means as well understood inthis art and also that the door may be closed by pneumatic'or otherpower suitably controlled inits action.

In the present instance, pneumatic power being employed to open thedoor, the rod 6 is tied to the piston 8 of the cylinder 9 and theadmission of air or other fluid pressure agent beneath said piston iscontrolled in a suitable way by a valve 10. When pressure i's'appliedthe door is opened and upon a relief of pressure under the piston t'. 1edoor is closedby the spring 7 which is compressed by the piston in thedoor opening operation all as also described in my nderial 650,044.Other power brought into action for closing the door could be usedwithout departing from my invention as for instance in the mannerdescribed in my Patent No. 1,578,678. March. 30, 1926, issued uponapplication filed July 7, 1923.

- The details as to the ports and connections of the Valve 10 which maybe employed are shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6. In these figures .11indicates the head of the cylinder 9 and 12 a port through which airunder pressure may be admitted to or exhausted from the cylinder.' Thevalve is shown as of the disk type, the disk being'indicated at 13 andhaving a port 14 adapted to open and close a connection with the port12. A port 15 of the disk establishes connection between a port 17taking air under pressure from a connection 18 and a chamber 19 on oneface of the disk valve whence it may passthrough ports '14 and 12 to thecylinder 11 when the valve is turned to the position indicated in Fig.4... 20 indicates an exhaust ,port which is connected with the port 12through a. chamber 21 on the rear face of the disk valve when said diskvalve isin the positionshown in Fig; 5 but is disconnected therefromwhen the valve is turned to the position indicated in Fig. 4.

From the above it willbe apparent that when thevalve is turned in thedirectiog of 1 5 to position shown in Fig. 4, the air unde r pressurewill pass through ports 18, 15, 14 and 12 into the cylinder 11 and liftthe piston thus causing the elevator door to open and the door willretain such open position until the prwsure is relieved. When the valvedisk is moved back in the direction 12 theport 12 will be placed inconnection.

with the'exhaust port and the piston may follows 24 is a suitableoperating or controlling shoe or cam mounted on the car in a manner toadapt it to be projected laterally by any suitable means of a mechanicalor electrical nature so as to cause the various agents herein describedto function. Examples of such means are described in my Patents No.1,550,449, Aug. 18, 1925, issued on application filed Aug. 2, 1923, andNo. 1,545,164, July 7 1925, issued on application filed J an. 17, 1925.Saidshoeis adapted to engage the vertical arm of the bell crank lever 26thereby raising the horizontal arm of said lever and pushing up the rod27. Said rod 27 is connected as shown in Fig. 2, to an arm 28 of thedisk valve. A spring 29 may be used to assist in returning the valve andconnected parts to normal position shown after actuation by the cam. Arod 31 is suitably connected to another arm 30 of the disk valve or to acontinuation of the arm 28 so as to be pulled downwardly when the rod 27is pushed upwardly by the action of the cam 24 or other means.

A suitable latch or lock for the operating mechanism and an electricallockout or interlockin electric switch-such as described a lever32-pivotal1y mounted if desired on the same pivotal center as the toggle2'. An

arm or extension of the lever 32 engages under a locking arm or catch 33that in its normal position holds the toggle 2 from lifting, thislocking engagement being effected by the shoulder 34 c3. the latch orlock which is adapted to drop down behind the lug or bar 35 connectingthe two sides of the usual split arm of the toggle 2' under theinfluence of gravity or other influence when .the arm of the lever 32recedes due to lifting of the rod 31. Said rod 31 lifts when the valvearm 28 swings downwardl with the downward movement of rod 2 permitted bythe recession of the cam 24. The lifting of the rod 27 due to the actionof the shoe orcam 24 and the consequent downward movement of the rod 31lifts the latch 33, frees the toggle 2', and the action of the valvecauses or permits power to be applied, as already explained, to operatethe toggle and cause-the door-to open. During this lifting movement thelatch or lock 33 rides on the lug or bar 35.

This movement of the parts under the action of the shoe or cam on thecar to unlock the door operating mechanism and apply the power reopenthe door also imparts movement to the operating member of a hoistingmotor. control switch or interlocking electric switch that controls acircuit of the hoisting electric motor for the car or its control in amanner to prevent or stop operation of said motor and at all times thetoggle arm is freed from the influence of the lock or catch 33.Conversely thecontrol switch cannot restore the circuits to operativecondition until the door has been closed and the latch has resumed aposition in which the door operating mechanism will be locked by saidlatch against movement for opening the door. The casing of aninterlocking or control switch of suitable character for this purpose isshown at 37. The switch shown comprises essentially two members 38through which the control or interlock circuit 39 for the hoisting motoris closed when the .parts are in the normal position shown in Fig. l,thedoor operating mechanism be ing at such timeilocked. When the latchor look 33 has moved upwardly sufliciently to free the door operatingmechanism a member of the switch, indicated at 40 and comprisingpreferably a block of insulating material, is interposed between members38 and opens the circuit. Movement of member 40 for this purpose isimparted through any desired means co-operating with the lock in itsunlocking action, said means comprising, forinstance, arm 41 extendingfrom or connected with the lock lever 33 and tied to switch member 40 bya link 42. When the locking lever 33 returns to locking position itpulls down the member 40 and restores the controlling circuit 39 tonormal condition thus permitting the car to be moved through the usualmotor controlling means employed for that purpose. The reoession ofmember 40 is brought about by the recession of the main control rod 27which is permitted to drop back when the shoe 24 is permitted to recedeby the attendant on the car or by other agency but said member40 cannotmove suliiciently' and operate to restore circuit 39 and permitthe carto be moved until the latch .33 has been moved suffieiently to engageblock 35 and thus lock the toggle bars or'other ortions of the operatingmechanism of the oor.

At 43 is shown a pair of dashpot cylinders for checking the movement ofthe door, these cylinders being suitably tied up to the operating oractuating mechanism of the door and co-operating therewith in a mannerwhich is described in my Patent No, 1,578,678, application filed July 7,1923. As

this dashpot action forms no part of my present invention the action ofsaid dashpots and the mechanism for operating the same need not befurther described.

The general operation of the apparatus is as follows: r

The normal position of the parts when there-is no car at the landing isshown in the Fig. l. The cam or shoe 24'is'norn1ally in retractedposition so that a car may pass a landing at which a stop is not desiredwithout operating the bell crank lever and rod 27 attached thereto. Thismovement of the caris permitted owing to the fact that the control orinterlock switch shown at the top of the figure is in position to permitthe hoisting motor and its controlling devices to function in the usualmanner. When the car reaches the landing the cam is automatically ormanually projected for the purpose of opening the door.

In'normal position of the parts and before action of the cam at thelanding. the valve ports are in the position indicated in Fig. 5. When,under the action of the cam, the rod 27 rises, it turns the valve andlifts the latch and associated parts but the ports 12 and 14 will notregister or open connection for application of the pneumatic power orwill not open suliiciently to render the same elfective until the latchor lock 33 has freed the door operating mechanism. lVith the lifting ofthe latch and as soon as or shortly before the door operating mechanismis freed the member 40 of the interlocking switch opens the circuit 39thus preventing movement of the elevator. .After the lock 33 has beenmoved sufiiciently to free the door operating tinued movement or liftingof the rod 27 and the valve connected therewith will result in movingsaid valve to the full position shown in Fig. 4 and the door will beheld open by the power in the cylinder.

To close the door and permit the restarting of the car the cam 24andmain control rod 27 are permitted to recede and the valve returns toits normal position to open the exhaust and permit the spring to act andreclose the door. In this return movement of the rod the latch or lookis permitted to drop 1 but will not immediately reach its lockingposition because it willride on the locking lug or block 35 until saidblock passes under the edge of the shoulder 34, after which the latchpasses to locking position, The

electric control or interlock switch 39 will remain in open conditionuntil the member 40 has receded to approximately the position indicatedin the runlines of Fig. 2 and said member will not assume said positionuntil after the locking member 33 has moved down to position to engagewith and lock the operating mechanism. Therefore it is necessary, aswill be seen, that the actuating devices for said door operatingmechanism or the controlling valve or other member therefor be restoredto position for efiecting closure of the door and for efltecting alocking of the door in the closed position before the interlockingswitch is restored to osition for permitting the car to be operate byvthe elevator hoisting motor.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In an elevator control apparatus, a door, a car relatively movablewith respect to the door, toggle arms pivotally connected and adapted innormal position to lock the door'against movement, a lock connected toone of said arms, means for releasing said loch, power means operativelyassociated with said toggle arms for controlling the movement of saiddoor, said means being dependent in its operation .upon the previousrelease of said loch.

2. in an elevator control apparatus in combination, a door, a carrelatively movable with respect to the door, means for opening the doorcomprising an actuating mechanism, a lock engaging said actuatingmechanism, a power controlling switch, and a single operating member forsaid lock and switch for causing'first, the opeg of said switch, and,subsequently thereto, the release of said loch, whereby the powercontrol for said car is rendered inoperative before the lock isremovedfrom the door.

3. In an elevator control apparatus, a door, a car relatively movablewith respect to the door, fluid pressuremeans for opening the door, alock for the door, a power controlling switch, and operating mechanismfor said lock, switch and fluid pressure means, constructed and arrangedto cause first, the opening of said switch, and subsequently thereto,the release or" mid lock and '-;he operation of said fluid pressuremeans.

i. in an elevator control apparatus, a door, car relatively movable withrespect to the ioor,.means for opening the door comprisa r'luid pressuremotor, a valve for controlling the supply of fluid to said motor, powercontrolling switch, and operating mechanism for said switch and valveconstructed and arranged to complete, first, the opening of said switchand, subsequently thereto, the operation or saidvalve, whereby the doorcan he opened only after said switch is opened: p

In .an elevator mntrol ap aratus, a door, a car relatively movable withrespect to the door, means tor opening the door comprising a fluidpressure motor, a power controlling switch, and an operating con'necation of said toggle 1 arms, an

masses tion constructed and arranged to complete, first, the opening ofsaid switch and, subsequently thereto,- the operation of said motor,whereby the door can be opened only after said switch is opened.

6. In an elevator control apparatus, a door, a car relatively movablewith res ect to the door, means for opening the oor comprising a fluidpressure motor and operating connections from said motor to the door, avalve for said motor, a car controlling switch, and operating mechanismfor said valve and switch constructed .and arranged to complete, first,the opening of said switch and, subsequently thereto, the operation ofsaid valve, whereby the door can be opened only after said {switch isopened.

7. In an elevator control apparatus, a door, a car relatively movablewith respect to the door, toggle arms pivotally connected and adapted innormal position to lock the door against movement, power meansassociated with said toggle arms for controlling the movement of saiddoor, a power controlling switch, and operating mechanism for saidswitch and power means constructed and arranged to cause, first, theopening of said switch and, subsequently thereto, the operation of saidpower means.

8. ln an elevator control apparatus the combination with a door, of acar relativel movable with respect to the door, a circuit to thehoisting'motor for said car, a switch in said circuit, toggle armsassociated with said door to cause movement thereon, a motor forcontrolling the movement of said toggle arms, and an operatingconnection for said switch and motor constructed and arranged to cause,first, the openin of said switch, and subsequently thereto, t eoperation of said motor.

9. In an elevator control apparatus, the combination with a door, of acar relatively movable with respect to the door, a circuit to thehoisting motor for said car, a switch in said circuit, toggle. armspivotally connected and adapted in normal position to lock the dooragainst movement, a loch: on one of said arms adapted to lock the togglesystem, a motor for controllin the opera unitary operating mechanism forsaid switch, lock and motor.

I 10. in an elevator apparatus, in combination, a door, a car relativelymovable with respect to the door, means for opening the door comprisinga door actuatin mechanism, power means for actuating said mechanism, alocking element including means movable to or from position to lock saidactuating mechanism against movement, an elevator hoi' motor controlswitch, and means on the -e car for controlling said power means, logelement and switch.

11. In an elevator apparatus, in combination, a movable door, means formoving the door comprising an actuating mechanism, control devices forsaid actuating mechanism, a lock engageable with said'actuatingmechanism for reventing movement of the same and means or controlling inone operation said lock and said control devices.

12. In an elevator apparatus, in combination, a movable door, means formoving said door, a lock for said door, a power controlling switch andmeans for controlling in one operation said door moving means, lock andswitch.

13. In an elevator apparatus, a movable door, toggle arms 'pivotallyconnected and adapted in normal position to lock the door againstmovement, a lock associated with one of said arms, power meansoperatively associated with said to gle arms for controlling themovement 0% said door through said toggle arms and means for controllingsaid lock and power means 14. In an elevator apparatus, the combinationwith a movable door, of a circuit for controlling the hoisting motor forsaid car, toggle arms pivotally connected and adapted in normal positionto lock the door against movement, a lock associated with one of saidarms and adapted to lock the toggle system, a motor for controlling theoperation of said toggle arms, and an operating mechanism forcontrolling said circuit, lock and motor Signed at New York, in thecounty of New York and State of New York, this 14th day of March A. D.1927.

CLIFFORD NORTON.

